2022 Imo 3R ISAMATA Markets Football Tournament : Okoronkwo unveils trophy

 

By  Ben AHANONU 

The Commissioner for Sports, Youths and Social Development, Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo has unveiled trophy for the 2022 Imo State Amalgamated Markets and Traders Association (ISAMATA) Markets Football Tournament in a colourful ceremony at the ISAMATA Conference Hall, State Secretariat, Owerri.

Speaking during the occasion on Friday, Hon. Okoronkwo, called for support of all Imo people as he moves to take sports to the next level. He expressed unhappiness that Heartland Football Club (FC) got relegated and vowed to do his utmost to revive the club. He said that Governor Uzodimma is in support of the tournament as he is always interested in what makes traders happy.

Hon. Okoronkwo, said that the unveiling of the trophy was his first major assignment since assuming office and assured that he will give every necessary assistance for the success of the tournament while calling on Imo people especially sports-loving individuals to feel free and come with relevant suggestions and ideas that could be useful in the efforts to revive sports in the State and restore Imo that has produced many talented sportsmen and women to its rightful position in sports.

He commended ISAMATA Executive led by the President, Hon. Emmanuel Ezeanochie for initiating such a laudable tournament that will not only unify traders in the state but also promote their good health.

Speaking earlier, the ISAMATA President, Hon.  Ezeanochie, thanked the Governor,. Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma for his support, assuring that ISAMATA, which 

 comprises 307 markets and biggest organization in the State is solidly with and in support of Gov Uzodimma administration.

Highlights of the occasion were the handing over of football jerseys and balls to participating teams and conduct of draws for the tournament matches across the  three senatorial zones of Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe by officials of Imo State Football Association led by the secretary, Amanze Uchegbulam and and members of the Football Organizing Committee, chaired by the Okigwe Zonal President of ISAMATA, Hon. Chikwendu Ezeigwe.

Recall that the maiden edition of the football tournament, which will kick off on Sunday December 4, 2022 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, was won by Malaysia Market, Obowo and N2million in prize money.

The event was attended by members of the State Executive of ISAMATA including the Owerri Zonal President, Hon. David Okoko, Orlu Zonal President, Hon. Udoka Mgbemere, ISAMATA State Secretary, Sir DonChris Okere, Financial Secretary, Mr. Peter Etoh,  treasurer Hon. Protus Anayo, Coordinator of Hausa traders in the State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dangali, Provost I, Hon. Abba Vitalis, Provost II, Hon. Kelechi Onyeka and others.

Malaysia Market: ISAMATA restores hope to traders, constructs over 400 stalls

By  our correspondent 

The leadership of Imo State Amalgamated Markets and Traders Association (ISAMATA) under Hon. Emmanuel Ezeanochie has in accordance with the Shared Prosperity policy of the Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma administration brought joy to petty traders at Malaysia Market, Obowo, following the construction of modern open stalls with access road and good drainage system to check the menace of flooding.

Before 

In a release, the President of ISAMATA, Hon. Ezeanochie said that the completion of the project and other projects in markets across the State is in sync with the 3-R policy of Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the Shared Prosperity Government led by Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma.

             Now

According to Ezeanochie, traders especially the petty traders were finding it difficult to transact their business before the intervention of ISAMATA, because of perennial flooding due to the fact that the area is low-lying and close to the river bank and worsened by lack of access road. 

He thanked Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma for his support and for giving him and other members of ISAMATA State Executive, the opportunity to serve the traders assuring that he will strive to deliver on his promise to bring a paradigm shift in the administration of the markets in Imo State even as the welfare of the traders remain a priority.

A cross-section of the traders, who spoke to our correspondent expressed joy and thanked the Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma for appointing the Ezeanochie -led executive of ISAMATA because it has been transformational and wonderful for the traders.

It will be recalled that  the construction of the over 400 open stalls at Malaysia Market, Obowo is part of the big vision of the Ezeanochie -led executive of ISAMATA.

2023: APC is real deal, party to beat - Ebere

 

By our correspondent 

The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Imo State chapter, Hon. MacDonald Kelechi Ebere PhD, has declared that the party is the real deal in Imo come 2023 general election, given the state of preparedness, commitment and unity of purpose amongst members, leaders and stakeholders of the party.

Hon. Ebere stated this during a press conference at the State Secretariat of the party along Okigwe Road on Monday.

He said: "As we get set for the main electioneering campaign activities, we are optimistic that our party, the All Progressives Congress is the party to beat in Imo, given the state of our preparedness, commitment and unity of purpose amongst leaders and stakeholders."

According to him, the APC, is the only political party in the state without a single threat of internal crisis, squabbles, division or conflict of interest, but focused and  committed to meeting the genuine aspirations of Imo people.

While recounting the achievements of the recently concluded strategic tour of the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state and town hall meeting with executive committees of the party drawn from the chapters (booth), Wards and LGAs as well as other relevant stakeholders, which include, the realization that the All Progressives Congress, APC, is the most popular, visible, vibrant and resourceful political party in Imo State today and that the popularity and acceptability of the APC -led administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma,  is on the rise amongst Imo electorate, Hon. Ebere, added that given the sense of responsibility, unity of purpose and clarity of direction amongst APC candidates, leaders and stakeholders the 2023 general election is indeed a foreclosed deal for the party.

His words: "While we explored the opportunity to arm our party men and women with the phenomenal infrastructural strides of the Governor Uzodimma -led administration as a campaign tool, we extracted the commitment of party members to work and  deliver all candidates of our party.

"We reaffirm our commitment as a political party on behalf of our candidates and other relevant stakeholders to approach the forthcoming general election with the best democratic practices of issue-based campaigns and non-violent election."

Hon. Ebere expressed profound gratitude to the leader of the party in the state and Governor, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, for his immense support and equally thanked  leaders across the LGAs, who in spite of the constraints of their obvious tight personal commitments and schedules, did make out time to receive the State Working Committee of the APC, in their various local government areas during the tour 

He reassured Imo people of the unwavering commitment of the APC -led administration to  making life better for all through the provision of dividends of good democratic governance in the state.

The press conference was well-attended by members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party.

Imo Wins at NAFEST 2022

Imo State Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mazi Uche Ohia, PhD (left); and Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Culture, Hon Paddy Obinna at Onikan Stadium, Lagos, during the Opening Ceremony of National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST 2022, on Wednesday November 9, 2022

 

Imo CPC destroys fake, expired consumables

 

By Nigerian Academic Excellence 

The Director General of Imo State Consumer Protection Council, CPC,  Hon. (Mrs) Obioma Okafor, Tuesday, destroyed fake and expired products seized by her Council at Avu Junction dump site, along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Okafor stated that the agency will never relent in its efforts to ensure that Imolites are not shortchanged by shylock and mischievous traders that sell fake and expired products to unsuspecting consumers.

Mrs Okafor, who was accompanied by staff of the CPC, thanked the Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, for giving her the opportunity to serve the people assuring that she will do her utmost to carry out the statutory obligations of the CPC effectively.

She said that the destruction of fake and expired products, which is the fourth since she assumed office will continue because it is the aim of the CPC, which she described as a spiritual agency, to save Imo lives.

               Hon (Mrs) Obioma Okafor